Water-cooled slab mold



July 26, 1949 F. .1. HUDAK 2,477,060

WATER COOLED SLAB MOLD July 26, 1949. F. J. HUDAK WATER COOLED SLAB MOLD2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. lO. 1945 Patented July 26, 1949WATER-COOLED SLAB MOLD Frank J. Hudak, Torrington, Conn., assignor toThe Torrington Manufacturing Company, Torrington, Conn., a corporationof Connecticut Application September 10, 1945, Serial No. 615,369

This invention relates to water cooled or chill slab molds such as areextensively used for casting slabs of metal, particularly copper-bearingalloys, which are subsequentlyreduced to sheets by rolling. Y

In general water cooled slab molds of this type comprise a stationarymold back or body and a complementary mating mold front or cover hingedto the mold body and capable of being swung horizontally through an arcof 90 or more. When closed the mold body and the mold cover provide aVmold cavity and clamping devices are provided for forcing the coverinto firm contact with the body and for holding it in such contactduring casting. The mold cavity is provided with lining plates of amaterial having good heat conductivity, usually copper. Provision ismade for circulating water or other cooling medium through the body andthrough the cover in contact with the lining plates so that the platesare enabled to rapidly conduct heat away from the metal constitutingvtheslab. Thus the slab is rapidly cooled and can be removed from the moldafter a very brief cooling interval.

VIn order that the hinges for the cover may not interfere with theoperation of the clamping devices in drawing the cover into firm contactwith the body, it has been the usual prior practice to provide a limitedamount of looseness in the hinge joints. `The provision of looseness `inthe hinge joints, While effective to permit the movement of the coverunder 'the influence of the clamping means, is objectionable as thehinges having such loose joints cannot support the cover in levelposition and in proper alignment or register with the body. The side ofthe cover opposite the Ihinges sags and the cover does not correctlyregister with the body when the cover is clamped in closed position. Toavoid such sagging it has been the practice, in some instances, toprovide means additional to the hinges, such as rollers on the bottom ofthe cover, to s upport the cover and hold it level and in correctalignment with the body. Such additional means are expensive, cumbersomeand incon venient.

To avoid the objections last above stated, it has been heretoforeproposed -to provide a hinge wherein the body-connected hinge elementcarried a round pivot pin in fixed vertical position and wherein thecover-connected hinge element was provided with a pin receiving slotextending in the direction perpendicular to the face of the cover. Thisconstruction, while perhaps theoretically advantageous, was subject to 4claims. (01.22-153) 2 the objection that there was only line contactbetween the stationary pivot pin and the walls of the slot. The partswere therefore readily subject to wear and proper lubrication could notbe maintained.

The principal object of the `present invention is to provide a mold ofthe class mentioned wherein the pivot member on each body-connectedhinge element is rotatable with respect thereto and is provided withhorizontally extending guiding surfaces and wherein each cover-connectedhinge element has horizontally extending guiding surfaces engaging thoseof the corresponding pivot member and positioned perpendicularly to theface of the cover. Thus the interengaging guiding surfaces are alwaysperpendicular to the cover face and they permit the cover to be movedhorizontally `to effect clamping. The said interengaging guidingsurfaces serve in all posi-4 tions of the cover to prevent any movementthereof in directions parallel to its face.

Still .other objects of the invention will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and from the following specification and claims.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a mold embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the mold with a portion broken away and shownin vertical central section.

Fig. 3 is a plan view.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing one of the hinges towhich the invention more particularly relates.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but with the cover in open position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side view taken partly in sectionalong the line 6--6 of Fig. 1.

The mold comprises a normally stationary body I0 which is recessed toform the back wall, the side Walls and the bottom wallof a mold cavitywhich is open at the top. The body Ill may be provided with a foot orbase I2. by means of which it may be supported on and secured to asuitable floor or platform. The mold also comprises a front member orcover I4 which is' hinged to the body for movement about a vertical axisand which when in closed position forms the front wall of th'e moldrecess. The cover I4 is connected with the body I0 .by means of twosimilar hinges I6 and I8, each comprising a hinge element 20 connectedto the body, and a hinge element 22 connected to the cover. Each hingealso comprises a vertical pivot member or pin I4. The two 3 Y hinges I6and I8 will be hereinafter described in greater d`etai1. y

The bodyris preferably provided with a back liner plate 26 formed ofcopper and with side liner plates 28 and 30 also formed of copper. Thecover I4 preferably'carriesa front liner plate 32 similar to the backliner plate 26.

The body `0 .preferably provided with verti-n Vcally extending channels34 having horizontal ribs 36 therein, and provision is made forcirculating water or other vcooling liquid through"V these channels toconduct heat awayjgfrom the back linei` plate 26. As shown, the Ycoolingliquid is supplied'throughv` tvv@Tjaipes'-15h35;V 3 3 and withdrawnthrough a pip'effl Vertical channels for cooling liquid may 'alsobeprovided adjacent the side liner plates 23and'30.. How;-

4 there is provided a spout 62 toperrmit the overflow olf mol-ten ymetalwhen the said metal reaches the level of the spout. Anrov'erilow box 64is provided, this being shown as hinged toV the `cover I4. The overflowof'meta-l from Vthe spout` into the said box serves as anV indicationthat the mold has Ibeen vcompletely lled.

In-poiiringhiolten metialhteth-efmold use ls upon the top edges of theliner plates 2B and'32. This runner boxV has one-ormore apertures inYthe bottomthereof, and these control and direct the flow of the I noltenmetal into the vinterior ofthe molde Thelrliiner'box is removed beforeever, such channels constitute no part 'of` the present invention andthe said channels;y to

gether with the piping therefor, are omitted fromY the 7'tlviig's. i

The .eover l 4 Aire'feratly provided withverth cally extending channelsI2 having horizonta-l ribs Til/therein and pre'visionlis made'for cireculating water or other cooling lidudthreu'ghthese -thannels to eonduitv.heat` awayfiernthe front liner 'plate 3127.-v siio'wn, the coolingliquid is supplied through two pipes 46., 46 and with# drafwn 'through'av pipe 48; Inasmuch 4`las theV @vergis-movable about the axis `o'f vthehinges LIB' Y outer race y ef the' bearing Gris` heldin plateeY 3in1 thehinge element 'zilfby meansef'a ring fwla'nd and la the liquid'issnpplied to the several 'pipes Y 43, 418 and 48 through movableconnectionswhich Y permit 'cover movement and preferably through swivel-nenne-e'tions having their axes in alignment with the llingle axis. VAsshown, the pipes/45, 46-

alre feenne'cted with a pipe 5o which receives liquid through a swivelro'int ST2; the axis ei ith-isswiveljoint being alignment withthe hingeaxis. `The charges' liquid through a swivel jfeintjli, the axis of thisswivel vj'orlt being also in alignmentwlith Y the hifi-ige airis. 'Itwill be seen that fthe Idescribed pipe connections permitv'"tll'e'izover toV be swung abo-ut 'the hinge f'axis "Withoutdisturbing or inter` rupting theflow of liquid through the eo'olingenaghnel's'fandtheicover. Y

Suitalble means are provided :for cover in its closed position, as shownFigs. v1,

2 andre' andai-'so in Fig. '4. This elamping means? may be widely variedWithout departing the invention, but as shown, the' rsai'd meanscomprises two 'vertical series :ofbolts 58 'at oppesite'sides ef themeld. Each bolt' erftered'l in a slot 59 in a ilange on the body and isprovided with a vertically extending cylindrical head engaging theflange above and below the yslot. 'The bolt "is held in place by clipsB-which-'embrace the cylindrical head of ibolt.' l't 'will 'be 'seen'thatthe clips Ihold the bolt in place but nevertheless?v it tebefswiing laterally about a vertical axis. 'Each bolt at its front 'endi's adapted' t'o enter a eorrespending slot Gl' in a a-nge en the @verandr is provided -with a nut adapted to engageA the said cover nar-ige.It .will seen 'that by turning 'the Imiftson theseve'ial' bolts 5:8, 5t;theeo'ver M be drawn rearwardinto f'i'riny engagement with `l-,h'e bodyand can be 'se hield duri-ng casting- Upon 'the complet-'ion ofv1'casting and aftercooling, the belts'fca-n be loosened tor permit'the4cover 'to be opened to the 'position showin by dot--andedash llines `inFigi, completed slab 'can then be removed.

clamping- 't'he 3, and the i "The side liner plate 3UYprefiera-blylterm'inaite's Y below the top Yof the `mold and Ain thespace' medlately above the tee-er the saidliner plate thecover "isopened.

'ference will KY"ovv be had particularly to Figs. 4 to 6whichshow;:in-greater detail the beforementioned hinges of the mold( Thebefore-Imentroned'pivot member 24is carried by therbodyconnected lhingeelement 20Vand is rotatable rela-V tively thr'etouabeut Aje; vertical.airis.l The pivot member 2li -hrnt'allly extending "guiding surfaees---VPreferaicllifl, 'the :pivot `-n'ieiriber 121 is a 'pi -xlindllgfftpwafrm the hir-igev Element,- being supported andrlguided therein by-analittleV friction bearing such-'as a-Iifoll-eribearinfgi'is. The

the inner race or Vthe bearingliais 'held-'iin place on the pin24 byota'vdise 12. When-'ther pivotmemberia is a 'pin described.; 'the'azere- Y said horizontally' extending' gul ngj surfaces are oppositeparallel lilas-'vertaal feeesflfl,4 l'wnnne'clA thereon.

'The fcej'vere'cenneeted hinge elementi' 212 is; adapted 'to 'engage the'pivot ineinberzi 'It' ls provided vvithf horizontally extendinggu-idling" Y Y surfaces Ywhieh engage the Yguiding surfaces en' thepivetiinember and which-are jpindienlar to the vinner tace the eover.fBy-reason' of the y Y y votlmember Y is rotativ'ely movedlvvhenthepeerf-is swiiii-fginterenfg'aginggniding sur-raises th tower-'derdesearles/leien. Inasmuehas the guiding surfaeesare alwaysperpendieularte the `liever "faee. the #covert-earl n'e'ved in' the directie/neef thesaid guiilnfg'rsurfaees and per# pendioularlvto inner aeei, ibut' iteannotbe' reetien parallel te' its inner ieee. 'Y When the pivotmember-illus apih'; as is fer-red, -thejeevereconneeted hinge element'zlh'a's an aperture i6! into whiehithe' .pi-n extends: likev moved 'indiameter ertlre aperture issemewhatllarger than the diameterffdf'thepivotpin and eihterior e f the aperture-'lis provided with*tweinesite faces H6, `1$fwhich `'engage 'the natia/ces gli on the Thehat faces" "1%, ls--eens-'ttu'te the before-meantime 'guidingfscrfaeesen the hinge element l'Prereiafnly,the dat faces-in the semif-ltare 61 arena separates-:Shoes le apertureand heldin plaee fbiylimearl's c'fscfrews atleast sneer the hinges ift and 1387,*preierai`iiyY the lower hinge |18, is provided with a bali bearing zwhich servestolearry'rtlie weiehtef the iw r while 'pernfrl'Y "'ttin'g ittoswinfgfreely vvllen its thus permitting the upper race 8.4' and thehingeelement 22 to freely move bodily' `with respect to lower race 86 andthehinge .element 28.

Upon the completion of lthe casting of the slab and upon sufficientcooling thereof, the runner box 66 is removed and the bolts 58, 58 areloosened, and the cover is swung forward to the position shown by dotand dash lines in Fig. 3 and shown by full lines in Fig. 5. Thecompleted slab is then removed and the cover is closed preparatory tothe casting of the next slab. In order that the cover may properlyengage the body, it is necessary that vit be held by the hinges in levelposition and in proper alignment with the body without any sagging ofthel side thereof remote from the hinges, in this case the right side.If the cover were to sag, this would tend to prevent the entry of thefront liner plate 32 into its recess in the body; and it would tend toprevent the proper alignment and engagement of the bolts 58 or otherclamping means. Furthermore, any misalignment of the cover with the bodywould leave the top edges of the plates 26 and 32 out of register, withthe result that the runner box 66 could not be properly supported.

While it is necessary for the cover to be held in proper alignedposition for the reasons stated, it is also necessary fori-it to befreely movable rearward, without restriction by the hinges, under theinfluence of the bolts 58, 58 or other clamping means. The constructionIwhich has been shown and described fully attains these results. Withthe cover in or near its closed position, and before the clamping meansare applied, it is freely movable forward and backward within the limitsdetermined by the difference between the diameter of the pivot pin 24and the diameter of the aperture 61. The described pipe connections aresufficiently flexible to permit such forward and backward movement ofthe cover. The support of the cover on the ball bearing 82 facilitatessuch forward or backward movement. However, while the cover is free tomove forward or backward, it is positively held against lateral movementand against sagging, by reason of the engagement of the flat faces 16,16 of the shoes 18, 18 with the flat faces 14, 14 of the pivot pin 24.The engagement between the shoes 18, 18 and the flat faces of the pivotpin does not in any way interfere with the swinging movement of thecover, as the pivot pin 24 is freely movable about its vertical axis,being supported for such movement by means of the bearing B8.

Inasmuch as the pivot members 24, 24 are rotatable, the bearings 68 inwhich they are supported carry the weight of the cover 32 duringswinging thereof and all rotary movement at the hinges is between theelements of the said bearings. There is no rotary movement of the coverconnected hinge element 22 relatively to the pivot member 24, and theformer moves relatively to the latter only to a very limited extenthorizontally. The guiding surfaces on the pivot members 24 and on thehinge element 22 are ample in. area and there is little or no tendencyfor them to wear.

It will be observed that the hinges serve to hold the cover level in allpositions thereof. It is not only held level when parallel with the bodyor in closed position as already described, but inasmuch as the hingeelements are rotatable with the cover the said cover is also held levelin all other positions thereof. This makes it unnecessary to provide anytrack or other support for the cover additional to the hinges.

1. In a mold for casting brass and the like, the I combination of a moldbody open at one side, aV

vertical cover having an inner face adapted t0. engage the open side ofthe body to close it, means for clamping the cover in its body closingposition, two vertically spaced hinge elements connected with the body,two pivot members mounted on the respective body-connected hinge ele--ments for relative rotative movement about a fixed vertical axis andeach having two parallel flat vertical faces, and two vertically spacedcoverconnected hinge elements adjacent the respective body-connectedhinge elements and each having two parallel flat vertical faces whichare perpendicular to the inner face of the cover and which engage theflat faces of the corresponding pivot member to cause rotative movementthereof in unison with the cover when the latter is swung horizontallytoward or from its body closing position, the said cover-connected hingeelements permitting movement of the cover in the direction of the saidinterengaging flat faces and perpendicularly to the inner face of thecover and also serving to narrowly limit such movement and the saidcover-connected hinge elements in all positions of Vthe cover serving byreason of the said interengaging flat faces to prevent movement of thecover parallelly with the inner face thereof.

2. In a mold for casting brass and the like, the combination of a moldbody open at one side, a vertical cover having an inner'face adapted to4engage the open side of the body to close it, means for clamping thecover in its body closing position, two vertically spaced hinge elementsconnected with the body, two pivot pins mounted on the respectivebody-connected hinge elements for relative rotative movement about afixed vertical axis and each having two parallel flat vertical faces,and two vertically spaced cover-connected hinge elements adjacent therespective body-connected hinge elements and each having o. pinreceiving aperture provided with two parallel flat vertical faces whichare perpendicular to the inner face of the cover and which engage theflat faces of the corresponding pivot pin to cause rotative movementthereof in unison with the cover when the latter is swung horizontallytoward or from its body closing position, the dimensions of theapertures in the direction of the interengaging flat faces beingslightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of the pins so as topermit narrowly limited movement of the cover perpendicularly to theinner face of the cover and the said interengaging flat faces in al1positions of the cover serving to prevent movement of the coverparallelly with the inner face thereof.

3. In a mold for casting brass and the like, the combination of a moldbody open at one side, a vertical cover having an inner face adapted toengage the open side of the body to close it, means for clamping thecover in its body closing position, two vertically spaced hinge elementsconnected with the body, two pivot pins mounted on the respectivebody-connected hinge elements for relative rotative movement about afixed vertical axis and each having two parallel flat vertical faces,two vertically spaced cover-connected hinge elements adjacent therespective bodyconnected hinge elements and each having a, pin receivingaperture with a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of thecorresponding pin, and two oppositely disposed shoes in each aperturehaving parallel nat vertical faces which areperpendicular to. the innerface ofthe cover and which engage the flat faces of the correspondingpivot pin to 'cause'rotative movemernJ thereof in unison with' the coverwhen the latter is 'swung horizontally toward or from' its body closingposition, the said interengagingflat faces on the pins and on the shoesserving in all positions of the cover toprevent movement of the coverparallellywith the inner face thereof.

4; In. a mold for casting brass andthe like, the combination ofy a moldbody open at one side a vertical cover "having, an inner face adapted toengage the open side of the body to close it, means for clamping thecover in its body closing position, two vertically spaced hinge elementsconnected with the body, two pivot pins mounted on the respectivebody-connected hinge elements lfor relative rotative movement about afixed vertical axis and eachhaving Vtwo parallelhorizontally toward orfrom its body closing posi-l tion, the ldimensions -of the apertures inthe direction of the interengaging fiat faces being slightly greaterthany the correspondingdimensions;of the pinsA so-as to ,permit narrowlylimited movement ofthe cover perpendicularlyto thefinner VfaceV ofthecover and the said interengaging-flat faeesz: in all positions of thecover serving to preventl movement of the cover parallelly withVtheinner face' thereof, and a ball thrustjbearing interposed betweenone cover-connected hinge element and the corresponding.body-connectedyhinge element,

the said bearing havingvflat ball engaging races which permit thecover-connected hinge element Y to move both rotatively andhorizontally. i

FRANK J. HUDAK.

y REFERENCES CITED TheL following referenfces are file of thispatent:

` VUNITED' STA'I'ESNPA'I'ENTS NumberVV Name f DateY 382,633 Bel1f e May8,1888l 486,237 Schenck ,Nov. 15, 1892l 1,392,884 Washburn Oct. 4,V 19211,981,516 Peremi 1 Jan. 8, rv1935 2,238,530 Licktegf Apr'. 15, 1941V2,283,450

of record inthe u?, FJ/r/ r/ Certificate of Correction Patent No.2,477,060 July 26, 1949 FRANK J. HUDAK It is hereby certified thaterrors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 55, for pin 14 read pin 24; column 3, line 26, for theWord conduit read conduct; line 35, and column 4, line 71, for hingleread hinge; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thesecorrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Ofice.

Signed and sealed this 20th day of December, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assz'stmt Oommssoner of Patents.

